Teacher's Interesting Approach To Homework Goes Viral

The Feed

Posted on August 24, 2016
by Deirdre Fogarty

Stories like this really just make our day: A teacher in the US has sent home a touching note to let her students' parents know that when it comes to homework this year, it's all going to be about family time.

Samantha Gallagher, who received the "New Homework Policy", took to Facebook to commend her daughter's new teacher, Mrs Young; the post - titled "Brooke is loving her new teacher!" - has since been shared more than 70,000 times by users heaping praise on the Texan educator.

In the note, Mrs Young explains that, with careful consideration and research, she's taking a new approach to her students' learning.

"After much research this summer, I am trying something new. Homework will only consist of work that your student did not finish during the school day," she writes. "There will be no formally assigned homework this year.

"Research has been unable to prove that homework improves student performance. Rather, I ask that you spend your evenings doing things that are proven to correlate with student success.

"Eat dinner as a family, read together, play outside, and get your child to bed early."

Mrs Gallagher told USA Today that the response to her post has been "supportive and positive."

"Many who have responded are educators themselves wanting info from Mrs Young on how to go about implementing the policy themselves," she said.

"We plan on spending more time as a family unwinding and catching up in the evenings. Also, Brooke is interested in gymnastics and this will allow more time for that."

One Facebook user also pointed out that more educators should embrace Mrs Young's attitude.

"Especially for kids in Elementary school... It prioritises family time and youth activity. I feel 8 hrs a day in school for kids this age is enough."

What do you think? Should more teachers be focussing on family rather than assignments?